One in four businesses never reopens after a disaster. Among businesses that remain closed for 10 days, 95 percent never reopen. The difference between businesses that never reopen and those that survive post disaster - and even thrive - is almost always planning.

No matter how small your business, continuity planning is essential. It begins with identifying the hazards - natural disasters and other occurrences - that could damage or destroy your company. The process is called "Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis." A worksheet is available on the American Red Cross Capital Area Chapter Web site, http://redcross.tallytown.com/empw-01.html.

While a paid consultant can write a business continuity plan, specifics about how the business operates must be supplied by the owner. There is no one-size-fits-all plan worth your time or money. A worthwhile plan must be unique to your business. For most small business owners, it makes sense for them to write the narrative plan in-house once they've gathered the information the consultant would require.

First, assess what functions are most critical to your business, and the personnel and equipment needed to perform those functions. Whether you offer products, services or both, you'll need to continue answering your customers' needs. Figure out what personnel, equipment and data are needed to continue operating. How long you can operate without electricity or other utilities?

Review your insurance. Is your coverage adequate, especially if your business has not been appraised recently? Contact your insurance agent and banker to get answers about financing recovery. Confer with your most important suppliers, too. If they are affected by disaster, you'll need alternative suppliers for essential items and services.

Make sure each staff member has a personal disaster plan and you can contact them in case of evacuation or other emergency. Everyone needs to know their role in your business plan. And let them know who will have authority to make decisions during an emergency.

If distilling all the information into a written plan is intimidating, start with the form that is available at http://www.ready.gov/. Any business continuity plan needs to be shared and tested through discussion and functional exercises with staff. Review and update it annually.

- Gathana Parmenas is interim disaster director for the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.